- 

jO}  / i 7 


ADDRESS 


NO  V i 


OF  TIIE 


EXECUTIVE  COMMITTEE 


OF  THE 


y , , - 

African  JWussston  School  Society, 


TOGETHER  WITH 


THE  RECORD  OF  THE  PROCEEDINGS 

AT  THE 

FORMATION  OF  SAID  SOCIETY. 


fljartfortr : 

H.  4 fe  F.  J.  HUNTINGTON. 


1826. 


4DDRESS 


In  the  present  age,  when  societies  for  charitable  and  religious 
purposes  have  become  so  numerous,  the  public  have  a right  to 
demand  very  satisfactory  reasons  for  the  establishment  of  an  ad- 
ditional one,  which  makes  any  requisitions  upon  their  liberality. 
The  Executive  Committee  of  the  African  Mission  School  Socie- 
ty in  announcing  the  formation  of  this  institution,  feel  therefore 
called  upon  to  a lswer  such  a demand  by  the  present  address.  The 
Society,  as  its  name  indicates,  is  designed  to  establish  and  support 
a school  for  the  education  of  free  persons  of  colour,  with  refer- 
ence to  their  becoming  Missionaries,  Catechists,  and  School-mas- 
ters, in  Africa.  It  is  not  intended  to  interfere  with  any  Society 
already  established  ; nor  to  take  upon  itself,  in  any  degree,  the 
direction  of  missionary  enterprises.  Its  sole  object  is  to  select  and 
prepare  instruments  for  them.  As  regards  the  Episcopal  Church, 
the  management  of  Foreign  Missions  has  been  committed,  by  the 
General  Convention,  to  the  Domestic  and  Foreign  Missionary  So- 
ciety, in  whose  wisdom  and  zeal  the  most  entire  confidence  is 
reposed.  They  acknowledge  themselves,  however,  to  be  under 
great  difficulty  and  embarrassment,  for  the  want  of  persons  pro- 
perly qualified  to  act  under  their  auspices  in  the  distant  and  inter- 
esting region  of  Africa.  They  are  possessed  of  funds — they  are 
ready  to  appropriate  them  to  this  object — but  Missionaries  are  not 
to  be  had.  Here,  then,  is  a difficulty  which  must  be  removed,  or 
it  cannot  but  prove  fatal  to  the  scheme  of  evangelizing  Africa. 
Nor  is  this  deficiency  peculiar  to  our  own  country ; it  is  sensibly 
felt  in  England.  Letters  have  been  received  from  the  Church 
Missionary  Society  in  London,  declaring  that  they  anxiously  look- 
ed to  this  country  for  a supply  of  pious,  intelligent,  and  active 
men  of  colour  for  the  service  of  Africa,  to  a number  of  whom 
they  are  prepared  to  give  immediate  and  ample  support.  They 
have  been  convinced,  by  the  same  melancholy  proof  which  has 


/ 


4 


satisfied  us,  that  the  constitution  of  the  white  man  cannot  long 
endure  the  climate  of  that  country  ; while  his  colour  which  is  as- 
sociated, in  the  minds  of  the  natives,  with  the  idea  of  disease, 
operates  as  a serious  disadvantage  to  his  usefulness  among  most 
of  the  tribes.  There  is  a loud  call  then  throughout  the  world 
for  African  missionaries.  How  is  the  deficiency,  so  universally 
and  so  deeply  felt,  to  be  supplied?  The  question  admits  of  but 
one  reply.  Pious  and  intelligent  young  men  must  be  selected  from 
our  numerous  African  population,  and  trained  up  for  the  service 
in  a mission  school.  The  leading  object  in  such  a plan  of  edu- 
cation should  be,  to  fit  them  to  become  teachers  of  the  Word  of 
God  in  simplicity  and  purity.  Learned  and  accomplished  theolo- 
gians are  not  needed  for  this  work  ; but  pious,  humble,  devoted 
men,  deeply  instructed  in  the  Gospel  scheme  of  salvation,  and 
familiar  with  the  oracles  of  truth  in  our  English  version — such 
will  make  useful  and  effective  missionaries. — In  addition  to  this, 
we  would  give  them  a knowledge  of  the  first  principles  of  the 
useful  sciences  and  arts;  viz.  botany,  mineralogy,  surveying,  civ- 
il and  municipal  law,  and  political  economy.  Nor  should  the 
attainment  of  an  adequate  manual  dexterity,  in  the  performance 
of  agricultural  and  mechanical  labour,  be  neglected.  These 
qualifications  may  be  of  great  importance  in  aiding  the  native 
tribes  in  their  approaches  to  civilization,  and  in  gaining  a desi- 
rable influence  over  them. 

If,  by  the  present  undertaking,  we  can  prepare  a few  individ- 
uals each  year,  who  can  be  rendered  useful  in  the  great  work 
of  renovating  Africa,  we  should  think  that  our  society  has  oc- 
cupied ground,  at  present  vacant,  with  a structure,  which,  howev- 
er humble,  promises  to  be  eminently  serviceable  to  the  cause  of 
civilization  and  Christianity. 

With  regard  to  pecuniary  means,  all  that  is  needed  is  a mode- 
rate contribution,  in  the  way  of  donations  or  annual  subscriptions. 
We  expect  not,  nor  do  we  think  it  desirable,  to  form  a large  and 
expensive  establishment,  and  one  designed  for  permanency.  We 
think  we  may  confidently  predict,  that  before  another  half  cen- 
tury shall  have  passed  away,  Liberia  will  be  an  extended  and  pop- 
ulous colony — that  it  will  have  its  Schools  and  Seminaries  of 
learning ; and  that,  in  all  probability,  the  foundation  of  a college 


o 


will  have  been  laid  there.  When  we  regard  the  present  state 
of  that  colony,  as  it  is  represented  to  us  in  authentic  documents  ; 
and  observe  how  judiciously  its  foundations  have  been  laid  un- 
der the  able  and  persevering  direction  of  the  Agent  of  the  Colo- 
nization Society,  whose  disinterested  and  successful  exertions 
are  worthy  of  all  praise,  we  cannot  esteem  our  anticipations  in  any 
degree  extravagant.  A mission  school  in  this  country,  for  the  sup- 
ply of  Africa,  will  then  be  no  longer  needed,  for  Africa  will  be 
in  a condition  to  provide  for  its  own  wants.  The  funds,  which 
can  now  be  employed  to  better  advantage  here — which  indeed,  at 
the  present  time,  can  be  employed  to  good  purpose  here  only, 
may  then  be  transmitted  by  benevolent  individuals  to  the  colony 
of  Liberia,  and  be  applied  to  the  education  of  missionaries  on  the 
spot.  In  other  institutions,  the  idea  of  permanency  is  essential 
to  excite  much  interest  in  their  behalf ; while  in  the  present  case, 
we  should  be  stimulated  to  more  active  and  energetic  exertions, 
in  the  anticipation  that  they  may  soon  be  rendered  unnecessary. 
The  more  we  can  accomplish  at  the  present  moment,  towards 
supplying  the  colony  with  a number  of  men  well  qualified  to  act 
as  Christian  teachers,  the  sooner  will  the  colonists  attain  that  state 
of  moral  and  religious  improvement,  which  will  preclude  the 
necessity  of  our  sending  them  any  thing  but  our  best  wishes  and 
prayers. 

With  regard  to  the  location  of  the  proposed  institution,  it  is 
obvious  that  a place  should  be  selected,  containing  at  the  pre- 
sent moment  every  attainable  advantage  for  carrying  it  into  im- 
mediate operation.  No  time  can  be  spared  for  building  it  up 
gradually — the  necessities  it  is  intended  to  remedy  are  immediate 
and  pressing.  The  reasons  for  preferring  a non-slave-holding 
state  appeared  to  be  conclusive  ; and  Hartford  has  been  se- 
lected as  a place  presenting  the  greatest  combination  of  advan- 
tages. It  is  healthful — the  means  of  living  are  cheap ; and  the 
vicinity  of  Washington  College  offers  many  facilities  for  educa- 
tion, which  can  be  found  only  in  the  neighbourhood  of  a Col- 
lege. 

The  only  objection  to  this  location  arises  from  the  fact,  that 
it  is  far  north  of  the  line  which  Mr.  Ashmun  has  stated  to  be 
the  boundary,  from  the  south  of  which,  the  colonists  have  not 


/ 


(i 


suffered  by  their  change  of  country.  But  this  objection  is  easily 
removed.  It  is  to  be  considered,  that  persons  from  the  north 
of  the  latitude  of  Maryland  must  still  encounter  the  hazards  of 
climatizing  ; while  those  from  the  south  cannot  lose,  by  a tem- 
porary residence  in  New  I ngland,  their  peculiar  adaptation  to  a 
warm  climate,  any  more  than  the  numbers  of  young  gentlemen 
who  come  yearly  from  the  Southern  States  to  be  educated  in 
our  Easte  rn  Colleges. 

in  this  brief  statement  of  the  objects,  for  which  the  Socie- 
ty has  been  established,  the  Executive  Committee  think  they 
have  made  out  a strong  claim  outlie  philanthropist  and  the  Chris- 
tian. They  have  taken  measures  to  put  the  school  into  imme- 
diate operation.  Under  the  constitution  of  the  Society,  a system 
of  By-laws  has  b^en  framed,  some  of  which  are  herewith  sub- 
mitted as  containing  an  outline  of  the  plan  on  which  the  school 
will  be  conducted.  A suitable  building  has  been  engaged — the 
Rector  and  Teacher  have  been  appointed  ; and  the  Executive 
Committee  are  now  prepared  to  receive  applications  for  punils. 
The  school  will  be  opened  on  or  about  the  20tb  of  September 
next. 

Under  these  circumstances,  the  Executive  Committee  make 
an  appeal  to  the  public.  They  have  been  enabled  to  advance 
thus  rapidly  in  Maturing  their  plans,  and  to  enter  into  the  responsi- 
bilities they  have  incurred,  in  consequence  of  the  liberal  do- 
nations of  two  benevolent  individuals,  to  the  amount  of  $300 
each.  For  the  successful  prosecution  of  their  interesting  ob- 
ject, it  is  obvious  that  more  funds  will  be  needed ; and  they  en- 
tertain the  confident  belief  that  more  will  be  given.  It  can- 
not be,  that  in  a country,  where  so  much  has  been  done,  and  is 
still  doing,  for  the  cause  of  Missions  in  general ; and  especial- 
ly, where  such  lively  sympathies  have  been  awakened  in  fa- 
vour of  the  hapless  sons  of  Africa,  a plan,  which  is  essential 
to  the  prosperity  of  African  missions,  will  be  suffered  to  fail,  for 
want  of  the  patronage  it  requires. 


Gentlemen  acquainted  with  suitable  candidates  for  admis- 
sion into  this  School  are  requested  to  open  a correspondence 
with  the  Secretary,  Samuel  H.  Huntington,  Esq.,  Hartford.  All 
donations  to  be  remitted  to  Cyprian  Nichols^  Esq.,  Treasurer 


rCran  SHCsston  School 


At  a meeting  of  clerical  and  lay  members  of  the  Protestant  Epis- 
copal Church  convened  in  Hartford,  Con.  Aug.  7th,  1828,  the  Rt 
Rev.  Bishop  Brownell  in  the  chair,  and  the  Rev.  L.  S.  Ives, 
of  New  York,  Secretary  : 

Resolved , On  motion  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Wainwright,  of  New- 
York,  that  the  exigencies  of  Africa  are  such,  and  the  demand  for 
missionaries  so  great,  that  it  is  expedient  to  establish  a School  for 
the  education  of  suitable  persons  of  colour  with  reference  to  this 
object. 

Resolved,  On  motion  of  the  Rev.  Mr  Doane,  of  Boston,  that 
it  is  expedient  now  to  form  a Society  for  the  purposes  contem- 
plated in  the  resolution  just  offered  ; and  that  a Committee  be 
appointed  to  prepare  and  offer  to  the  present  meeting  a Constitu- 
tion for  such  a Society. 

Whereupon,  the  Chairman  nominated  the  Rev.  Dr.  Wain- 
wright, and  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Wheaton  and  Ives  on  the  afore- 
said Committee.  They  accordingly  reported  the  following  Con- 
stitution, which  was  adopted  by  the  meeting. — 


CONSTITUTION 

OF  THE 

AFRICAN  MISSION  SCHOOL  SOCIETY. 

Article  I.  This  Association  shall  be  called  the  African 
Mission  School  Society. 

Art.  II.  Its  objects  shall  be,  to  establish  and  maintain  a 
School  for  the  instruction  of  suitable  persons  of  African  extrac- 
tion, with  reference  to  their  becoming  Missionaries,  Catechists 
and  Schoolmasters  in  Africa,  under  the  direction  of  the  Domestic 
and  Foreign  Missionary  Society  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church. 

Art.  III.  The  Society  shall  consist  of  persons  paying  annual- 
ly the  sum  of  two  dollars ; or  the  sum  of  twenty  dollars  at  one 
time,  which  shall  constitute  them  members  for  life. 

Art.  IV.  The  President  of  the  Society  shall  be  the  Bishop 
of  the  Diocese  in  which  the  School  is  established  and  in  his 
absence,  the  chair  may  be  taken  by  any  other  Bishop  who  may 
be  present. 


8 


Art.  V.  There  shall  be  three  Vice-Presidents,  whose  duty  it 
shall  be  to  preside,  when  neither  of  the  Bishops  shall  be  present, 
and  who  ex  officio  shall  be  directors. 

Art.  VI.  Twenty-four  Directors,  half  clergymen  and  half 
laymen,  shall  be  elected  at  the  ai  nual  meeting.  Any  person, 
paying  the  sum  of  fifty  dollars,  at  any  one  time,  shall  have  the 
privileges  of  a Director. 

Art.  VII  The  Bishops  of  the  Church  shall  be  ex  officio  Pat- 
rons ; and  all  other  persons,  who  shall  pay  one  hundred  dollars  at 
one  time.  They  shall  have  a right  to  be  present,  and  to  vote  at 
all  meetings  of  the  Society,  or  of  the  Board  of  Directors. 

Art.  VIII.  A Treasurer  and  Secretary  shall  be  chosen  at  the 
annual  meeting,  and  shall  be  resident  in  the  place  where  the  school 
is  situated 

A <t.  IX.  There  shall  be  annually  chosen  by  the  Board  of  Di- 
rectors, ten  persons,  six  of  whom  shall  be  resident  in  the  place 
where  the  school  is  established  ; and  these,  together  with  the 
President,  the  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  shall  constitute  the  Ex- 
ecutive Committee.  Of  this  Committee,  five  shall  be  a quorum 
for  the  transaction  of  business. 

Art.  X.  The  Board  of  Directors  shall  meet  annually  on  the 
day  before  the  first  Thursday  in  August,  at  such  time  and  place 
as  the  President  may  designate  ; and  shall  make  report  of  their 
proceedings  to  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Society,  which  shall  be 
held  on  the  evening  of  the  following  day.  The  Bo-ard  of  Direct- 
ors shall  also  meet  during  the  session  of  the  General  Convention 
of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  at  such  time  and  place  as 
may  be  designated  by  the  President  ; to  which  body,  an  account 
of  the  proceedings  of  the  Society  shall  be  rendered  triennially. 
At  all  meetings  of  the  Board,  nine  shall  constitute  a quorum. 

Art.  XI.  The  Executive  Committee  shall  carry  into  execu- 
tion the  ordinances  of  the  Board  of  Directors,  and  shall  have 
power,  during  the  recess  of  the  Board,  to  perform  acts  and  make 
regulations,  to  which  the  Board  is  competent.  It  shall  meet  at 
the  call  of  the  President,  and  in  his  absence,  at  the  call  of  three 
of  its  members.  Its  proceedings  shall  be  submitted  to  the  Board 
at  every  meeting  of  the  same. 

Art.  XII.  The  Board  of  Directors  shall  enact  By-Laws  for 
their  own  regulation  and  that  of  the  Executive  Committee.  They 
shall  also  appoint  the  Rector  and  Teachers  of  the  School,  and 
prescribe  the  course  of  study. 


9 


Resolved,  On  motion,  that  the  meeting  proceed  to  appoint  the 
officers  named  in  the  above  Constitution  : 


Whereupon,  the  following  gentlemen  were  appointed  : 


PATRONS 

RT  REV.  BISHOP  WHITE, 

RT  REV.  BISHOP  HOBART, 

RT  REV  BISHOP  GRISWOLD, 
RT  REV.  BISHOP  MOORE, 

RT.  REV.  BISHO'*  CROES, 


, ex  officio. 

RT  REV.  BISHOP  BOWEN, 

RT.  REV.  BISHOP  CHASE, 

RT.  REV  BISHOP  RAVENSCROFT, 
RT.  REV.  BISHOP  ONDERDONK. 


PRESIDENT,  ex  officio. 

RT.  REV.  T.  C.  BROWNELL,  Bishop  of  the  Diocese  of  Connecticut. 


VICE  PRESIDENTS. 

Rev.  J.  M.  WAINWRIGHT,  D D.,  of  Mew-York. 
His  Hon.  THOMAS  L.  WTNTHROP  of  Boston. 
STEPHEN  WARREN,  EsC  of  Troy,  (W.  F.) 

DIRECTORS. 


Rev.  G W DOANE,  ) 
Rev.  ALONZO  POTTER,  } 
Rev.  N S.  WHEATON 
Rev.  F A RR  V ' ROSWELL, 
Rev.  Dr.  MiLNOR,  A 

Rev.  Dr.  TURNER,  f 

Rev.  GEORGE  UPFOLD,? 
Rev  L.  S.  IVES,  J 


of  Massa- 
chusetts. 

| of  Conn. 
ofJY.  York. 


Rev.  Dr  MON  PGOMERV,  of  Penn. 
Rev.  Dr.  WYATT,  of  Maryland. 
Rev  Dr  MEADE,  of  Virginia. 
Rev.  Dr.  GADSDEN,  ofS.  C. 


SIMON  GREENLEAF,  Esq.  of  Maine. 
Dr.  J C.  WARREN,  ^ 
GEORGE  BRINI.EY,  Esq. 

EDWD.  A.  NEWTON,  Esq 
JAMES  BOWDOIN,  Esq  ) 
SAMUEL  SLATER,  Esq.  ofR  1. 


. of  Mass. 


JY.  Y. 


PETER  A.  JAY,  Esq., 

HENRY  ROGERS,  Esq 
PETER  KEAN,  Esq.,  of  'jY.  J. 
HORACE  BINNEY,  Esq.,  of  Penn 
J.  B.  ECCLESTON,  Esq.,  ofMd. 
FRANCIS  S.  KEY,  Esq.  of  I).  C 


S.  H.  HUNTINGTON,  Esq.,  Secretary. 
CYPRIAN  NICHOLS,  Esq.,  Treasurer. 


The  meeting  then  adjourned. 


At  a meeting  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  African  Mission 
School  Society,  held  in  Christ  Church,  Hartford,  on  the  evening 
of  the  7th  dav  of  August,  18*28,  the  following  gentlemen  were  ap- 
pointed the  Executive  Committee : 

Rov  N.  S.  WHEATON,  Dr.  J.  SMYTH  ROGERS, 

Rev.  Dr  WAINWRIGHT,  C.  SIGOURNEY,  Esq. 

Rev.  HORATIO  POTTER,  S.  TUDOR.  Esq. 

Rev  G.  W DOANE,  W.  H.  IMLAY,  Esq. 

Rev.  H HUMPHREYS,  E.  A.  NEWTON,  Esq. 

S.  H.  HUNTINGTON,  Esq.,  Secretary  of  the  Committee. 

On  Motion,  Resolved,  that  the  Executive  Committee  be  empow  - 
ered to  prepare  a code  of  By-laws,  to  be  presented  to  the  Board 
at  its  next  annual  meeting. 

Resolved,  That  the  Executive  Committee  be  governed  by  said 
cod®  of  By-laws  until  the  next  annual  meeting  of  the  Board. 


10 


Resolved,,  That  the  Rev.  N.  S Wheaton  he,  and  hereby  is,  ap- 
pointed Rector  of  the  African  Mission  School,  for  the  year  ensu- 
ing. 

Resolved,  That  the  Executive  Committee  appoint  a Teacher, 
and  take  measures  to  collect  funds,  and  to  carry  said  School  into 
operation. 

Adjourned. 

Pursuant  to  the  above  resolutions,  the  Executive  Committee 
held  a meeting  on  the  1 1th  of  August,  when  they  appointed  Mr. 
H.  Spencer  Teacher  of  the  School — adopted  a code  of  by-laws, 
and  an  Address,  which,  with  extracts  from  the  by-laws,  was  or- 
dered to  be  printed,  together  with  the  proceedings  of  the  meet- 
ing, and  of  the  Board  of  Directors. 


EXTRACTS  FROM  THE  BY-LAWS 

FOR  THE  GOVERNMENT  OF  THE  EXECUTIVE  COMMITTEE. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Rector  to  visit  the  School  once  a 
week,  and  of  the  Executive  Committee  as  often  as  once  a month 
— to  enquire  into  the  literary  progress,  and  the  religious  character 
and  conversation  of  the  pupils. 

The  Instructor  shall  reside  and  lodge  in  the  same  house  with 
the  pupils,  with  the  privilege  of  taking  his  meals  elsewhere.  He 
shall  also  superintend  their  education,  and  direct  and  assist  them 
in  their  studies  according  to  the  plan  which  shall  be  prescribed 
by  the  Executive  Committee. 

No  pupil  shall  be  admitted  into  this  School  except  he  have  at- 
tained the  age  of  18,  and  can  read  the  English  language  with  fa- 
cility, and  can  write,  and  has  acquired  some  knowledge  of  the 
rules  of  common  arithmetic.  He  shall  also  produce  to  the  Ex- 
ecutive Committee  satisfactory  testimonials  of  his  exemnlary  reli- 
gious character,  and  of  his  possessing  such  intellectual  endow- 
ments as  will,  in  all  probability,  render  him  useful  in  the  capacity 
of  Missionary,  Catechist,  or  School-master. 

The  pupils  shall  be  required  to  board  in  the  house  provided  for 
them  by  the  Committee,  and  to  pursue  their  studies  with  diligence- 
They  shall  be  under  the  immediate  care  of  the  Instructor,  to 
whose  directions  and  admonitions  they  shall  pay  a due  obedience. 
It  is  expected  that  their  conduct  will  not  only  be  orderly  and  de- 
cent on  all  occasions,  but  in  an  eminent  degree  exemplary,  as  be- 
comes Christian  disciples. 

The  stated  religious  exercises  of  the  School  shall  be  daily 
morning  and  evening  prayer,  with  reading  of  the  Scriptures,  by 


v 


the  Teacher,  in  the  presence  of  the  pupiJs ; all  of  whom  shall  be 
required  to  attend  They  shall  also  be  constant  in  their  attend- 
ance on  the  public  services  of  the  Church. 

The  pupils  shall  he  required  to  labour  at  some  mechanical  or 
agricultural  employment,  at  least  two  hours  in  the  day,  as  the 
Committee  shall  direct. 

Shouh’  it  appear  to  the  Executive  Committee,  after  a reasona- 
ble trial,  that  a pupil  is  disqualiiied  for  usefulness  in  Africa,  by  a ’ 
want  <>f  piety  or  of  intellectual  endowments,  they  shall  have  low- 
er to  dismiss  him  from  the  institution 

Whenever  the  Committee  shall  judge  any  of  the  pupils  qualifi- 
ed for  usefulness  in  Africa,  as  a Missionary,  Catechist,  or  School- 
master, tney  shall  give  notice  thereof  t the  Executive  Co  omittee 
of  the  Domestic  and  Foreign  Missionary  Society  of  the  Frotest- 
ant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  States. 


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